INSIGHTS (on leadership/self-leadership)
Researchers from the University of Oxford have been studying two modes workers tend to engage in: doing mode, in which people pay narrow attention to a specific task to get it done efficiently; and spacious mode, in which people spend time thinking, learning, innovating, and collaborating.
As you can imagine, long-term performance will suffer immensely without sufficient time spent in spacious mode. But leaders, with their words and actions, all too often force people into a non-stop do-loop of, well, doing mode.
The researchers offer three ways that leaders can encourage more time spent in the critical spacious mode.
1. Focus on ideas instead of tasks. Doing so fosters broader thinking, ideation, and visioning, and shifts toward “managing by objectives,” reducing time spent on inspection and dates-n-gates management.
2. Mix in different kinds of meeting agendas. Not every team meeting has to be about producing action-driven checklists. Some can be about discussing broader objectives, a Q&A session on anything on the team’s mind, or a brainstorming session for new ways to achieve an agreed-upon objective. You get the idea. It’s about getting out of the constant grind of moving things forward a step at a time.
3. Value and reward spacious mode. Sounds simple. We all know the old adage, “you get what you measure.” But stepping up as a leader and actually delivering on this can be hard. Do it anyway.
IMPERFECTIONS (a mistake many make)
It’s easy to make the mistake of not being introspective enough, of not stepping back and asking yourself some of the thought-provoking questions that can help you make interventions that change the trajectory of your life. I came across a psychology-backed list of 10 such questions that you can ask yourself to accomplish just that. Set aside some time to ask yourself the following (and take action as required):
1. What is the one thing I can do today that will make everything else in my life easier or more meaningful?
2. What is the one habit that, if built consistently, would most improve my energy and well-being?
3. What is the one thing to which I am saying ‘yes’ that I should start saying ‘no’ to simplify my life?
4. What is the one thing I want to be remembered for, and how can I start embodying that today?
5. What is the one thing I’ve been putting off that would give me the greatest sense of relief or accomplishment once done?
6. What is the one relationship in my life that, if improved, would bring me greater joy and support?
7. What is the one thing I can remove from my life that will make space for what truly matters to me?
8. What is the one belief about myself that is holding me back from living my fullest potential?
9. What is the one activity that, when I do it, makes me feel most alive and connected to myself (and how can I find more time for it)?
10. What is the one thing I could do to make my daily routine simpler and more enjoyable?
IMPLEMENTATION (one research-backed strategy, tip, or tool)
Here’s more on how to live a more satisfying life. A recent study of 1,500 Harvard Business School alumni found that those who engaged in joyful activities with the little free time they had found more satisfaction in life than those who didn’t. Hardly surprising. But what’s interesting is that researchers identified two key factors the most joyful people embrace when creating joy:
Variety and spontaneity.
Research shows that spending too much time on one thing diminishes the joy you get from it. So, commit to engaging in a variety of things that you enjoy.
And leave room for spontaneity. This is something my wife and I are working on ourselves. You can only do this when every hour of every day isn’t planned. Leaving room in your calendar for the unplanned allows the joy of discovery, unexpected excitement, and wonder to find their way into your life.
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